Per 
Item #: SCP-5XXX
Object Class: Euclid
Special Containment Procedures: The perimeter of SCP-5XXX is to be patrolled by no more or less than five individuals at any one time, and these individuals are to be equipped with Foundation standard-issue armaments. The security teams are to be supplied, however, with ammunition composed wholly of pure, smelted iron. The iron pillars that signify the boundary of SCP-5XXX are to be checked on a monthly basis for signs of oxidation and replaced as necessary. Upon the first day of every month, assigned personnel must enact Procedure 851-Aquifolium. If Procedure 851-Aquifolium either fails or is not attempted, SCP-5XXX will enter its active state. Should this occur, the complete incineration of SCP-5XXX, SCP-5XXX-1 and all instances of SCP-5XXX-2 via aerial or artillery bombardment must be carried out immediately. Any personnel present within the boundary upon SCP-5XXX entering its active state are to be considered lost. Efforts should then be made to locate the next iteration of SCP-5XXX when it manifests.
NOTICE: Successful execution of Procedure 851-Aquifolium will result in the creation of a new SCP-5XXX-2 instance. Bi-monthly status reports on SCP-5XXX-2 population must be submitted for O5 review prior to any changes in containment procedures or object classification.
Description: SCP-5XXX is a circular area of woodland measuring roughly 1200m in diameter. The trees that populate the area consist exclusively of evergreen species, and in themselves exhibit no known anomalous properties. Due to the elevated probability of containment breach due to civilian hikers unknowingly crossing the boundary, assigned personnel and security forces are to conduct regular drills in order to maintain acceptable response times. This threat is further exacerbated by the anomalous meteorological properties exhibited by SCP-5XXX.
The temperature and weather patterns recorded within the boundary of SCP-5XXX do not correspond to those of the surrounding landscape. The area within maintains a constant ambient temperature of -10 degrees Celsius regardless of its geographical location, and the local weather is described as light-to-medium snowfall. Despite this, extended observation has not detected any perceptible increase in the depth of the snow already present, which averages a foot deep on open ground. Footprints left by exploratory teams, however, will be obscured by the snow in the space of 20-30 minutes.
This phenomenon, coupled with the electromagnetic distortions present within SCP-5XXX, makes navigating the area extremely difficult, and rendering exploration via unmanned drone completely impossible. This difficulty exists irrespective of any encounters with SCP-5XXX-1 or instances of SCP-5XXX-2. As such, all researchers and security personnel assigned to this SCP are required to possess advanced certifications in hiking and non-technological navigation, and must be secured to one another with cable at all times. Approximately 1000m from the northernmost edge of the area is a circle of stone pillars that are a match for samples from the [REDACTED] region of Scotland. The stones vary in height, with the smallest measuring 18 metres tall and the tallest measuring 22 metres. The stones are adorned with spiral carvings typical of those found in [REDACTED], which have been dated to the year ████ BC.
In the centre of the circle is a crude altar displaying similar decoration, large enough for a full-grown human male to lie upon. Researcher ████████ noted that despite the inclement weather, the altar is always clear of snow. Upon the altar is a bowl of polished stone, approximately 30cm in diameter, which requires two hands to lift. Beside the bowl is a crude bronze dagger, the blade of which is inscribed with an artistic depiction of a raven in flight. The bowl and dagger form the key components of Procedure 851-Aquifolium and must not be brought outside of the stone circle. Doing so will cause SCP-5XXX to enter an active state, provoking hostile reactions from nearby instances of SCP-5XXX-2. Should SCP-5XXX enter an active state due to the failure of Procedure 851-Aquifolium, improper handling of the altar or its contents, or failed interaction with SCP-5XXX-1, incendiary bombing of the entire area must be conducted before any instances of SCP-5XXX-2 are able to cross the perimeter.
SCP-5XXX-1: At the centre of SCP-5XXX is a small camp. Located in a clearing is a bonfire, which displays no anomalous properties beyond seemingly requiring no additional fuel. Beside it is a large, flat stone, which is used as seating. Behind the stone is a conical dwelling constructed of woven branches and dried moss, with a single aperture large enough for a crouching humanoid to enter. Inhabiting this camp is the entity designated SCP-5XXX-1. SCP-5XXX-1 most often resembles a human male of Caucasian descent, aged 19-24, with black, curled hair. SCP-5XXX-1 usually stands at 5’10’’ tall with a solid build, and bears dark red tribal markings along its arms and upon its bare chest and shoulders. SCP-5XXX-1 is dressed in garb appropriate for a high-ranking warrior of the [REDACTED] Celtic tribe in ████ BC, including a cloak of black feathers, and speaks in the appropriate regional dialect. Upon its head, SCP-5XXX-1 wears what appears to be the skull of a corvus corax as a crude helmet, though individuals of that species have never been known to grow to the size required. SCP-5XXX-1 carries with it a silver-bladed spear with a handle of wood derived from the species ilex aquifolium decorated with more spiral carvings and, though it primarily uses it to stoke the bonfire, SCP-5XXX-1 has shown considerable prowess in using the spear as a weapon.
SCP-5XXX-1 is usually non-hostile towards Foundation personnel provided they speak to it in a respectful manner and do not ‘break the rules’ of SCP-5XXX. SCP-5XXX-1 is willing to engage with Foundation researchers, and displays a warm, affable demeanour and an eagerness for conversation. Notable is the difference in how SCP-5XXX-1 behaves towards Foundation research personnel and their security escorts. The entity is able to recognise security operatives it has interacted with previously and will greet them as ‘fellow warriors’ and offer them ‘wine and warmth’.
Note: A reminder to all assigned security personnel: appearances aside, this thing is not human, it is not your drinking buddy. You’ve all been briefed on 851-Aquifolium, you know how nasty that thing can get, especially when its ‘friends’ get involved. Do your jobs, please. - Dr. ███████
SCP-5XXX-1 seems to be unaware of the advancements made by humanity since ████ BC and seems unable or unwilling to grasp the concept of a ‘scientist’ or a ‘Foundation’, referring instead to Foundation researchers as ‘soothsayers’ or ‘priests’. It does, however, display knowledge of other SCP entities contemporary to ████ BC, including SCP-███, the civilisation depicted in SCP-███ and beings it calls 'the Children of the Night'. When directly questioned about these subjects, however, SCP-5XXX-1 offers only vague, disinterested answers and attempts to change the topic.
Should SCP-5XXX enter its active state, the appearance of SCP-5XXX-1 will undergo a dramatic change. The torso and limbs will elongate until the entity reaches 9 feet seven inches in height, its body will appear to be composed of dried wood and charred bones. The skull helmet will become fused to its head and several sprigs of ilex aquifolium will emerge from the eyes and mouth to form a rough crown. The spear the entity carries will also change in size to match its wielder, and SCP-5XXX-1 in this form can deliver a blow capable of crushing a human spine. The entity is highly resistant to physical damage and security personnel are instructed to retreat out of its melee range and apply suppressive fire. Pure iron bullets have proven to be effective at impeding SCP-5XXX-1 only, full incapacitation is currently beyond the Foundation’s capabilities, as SCP-5XXX-1 will quickly summon aid in the form of instances of SCP-5XXX-2. The efforts of security personnel during this state are of course merely a delaying action until the incendiary bombs can be delivered, after which SCP-5XXX and its inhabitants will manifest elsewhere on Earth. There is currently no known method to prevent SCP-5XXX from reappearing. As of ██/██/201█, interviews with SCP-5XXX-1 are to be conducted by security personnel. During these interviews, SCP-5XXX-1 makes infrequent mention of an ‘enemy’, although the translated word possesses a number of alternative meanings. Interviewing personnel are strongly advised against pressing SCP-5XXX-1 about this, as any interest shown in this ‘enemy’ has shown to induce extreme paranoia and indignation in SCP-5XXX-1, invariably leading to SCP-5XXX entering its active state.
SCP-5XXX-2: Encountered randomly within the boundaries of SCP-5XXX, these entities closely resemble SCP-5XXX-1 during active states. Their heads are replaced with the skulls of crows, deer, rams and snakes and lack the ilex aquifolium crown of the primary entity. These entities are seemingly devoid of any higher mental capacity and merely wander aimlessly unless directed by SCP-5XXX-1 or until SCP-5XXX enters its active state. When this occurs, all instances of SCP-5XXX-2 will either viciously attack Foundation personnel within the boundary or will make every attempt to break through the outer perimeter. This begins with repeated assaults against the iron pillars that mark the outer edge of SCP-5XXX. This process can take anywhere from an hour to fifteen seconds depending on the number of SCP-5XXX-2 present during the event. Once enough pillars have been destroyed, the entities will flee a short distance beyond the perimeter before stopping and rooting themselves in place. The skull and bones will fall away until all that remains is another evergreen tree. It is estimated that since the Foundation first began monitoring the site in 20██, SCP-5XXX has expanded its boundary by roughly ███ metres.
Event Log 001: SCP-5XXX enters its active state at 3:08am on ██/██/201█. Before the prepared expedition can breach the perimeter to perform Procedure 851-Aquifolium, loud screeching sounds can be heard emanating from within, and several trees are felled along the area’s eastern fringe. Investigation of the affected area revealed that the felled trees had been replaced by those of the species quercus robur, and that the snow around them had completely melted. The shattered forms of numerous SCP-5XXX-2 instances found lying around the area, damage to surrounding trees and heavy disturbance of remaining snow are consistent with an intense struggle. No indications were found as to the identity of the attackers. Incendiary bombs delivered as per containment protocols, next iteration of SCP-5XXX manifests in its original form and normal operation resumes. Researcher ███████ later discovers a handwritten note in the same language spoken by SCP-5XXX-1 slipped in between her papers:
All seasons have their time. All scales must be balanced. All burdens rest with us. We are the shackle and the key. - TORC
